India's bid to host the next U-20 FIFA World Cup ended in disappointment as world football governing body FIFA accorded the status to Poland.
The European nation will host the next edition of the tournament in 2019. This was decided at the FIFA council meeting in Bogota in Colombia on Friday.
The success of the U-17 event emboldened the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to submit a bid for hosting another FIFA tournament in two year’s time.
Both India and Poland fulfilled the most important criteria - of having ready stadia.
It is believed that is what prompted FIFA to opt for Poland.
The U-20 World Cup has featured players such Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi - who would go on to becomes legends of the game.
The last edition of the tournament was held in South Korea last year.
Argentina have won the tournament most number of times (six), followed by their South American rivals Brazil, who triumphed on five occasions.
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